'LES CHEMINS DE SAINT-JAQUES' playing cards. Editions Dusserre. France.  2000
PILGRIM TRAILS - LE CAMINO to SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Made by Dusserre to celebrate the historical pilgrimage routes that lead from various locations in France to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in Northern Spain. Today hundreds of thousands of people hike these trails or portions of them, recreating the early pilgrimages – some for spiritual and religious reasons, others for recreation and the challenge of it. The first pilgrimage to Santiago is said to have been made at the time of the discovery of the remains of St. James the Great in 812 A.D., and pilgrimages have been continuous since that time.

Wonderful quality images. Paintings, statues, buildings, churches, monuments, Saints, icons and maps associated with different routes to Compostela. A different one on every card. *ALL THE TEXT IS IN FRENCH. The 9s carry further text in English, French, German and Spanish about the history of the pilgrimages.

There are four principal routes to Compostela starting in France – from Tours, Vézelay, Le Puy-en-Velay, and Arles. These routes are shown on the 10s and Jokers. Statues of Saint Jacques (St James) are featured on the Kings. The other cards in this fully illustrated pack depict the Virgin Mary, pilgrims and views in colour of famous places along the way.

The back design is made up of scallop shells (the emblem of Santiago carried by all pilgrims) in gold against a blue background.
52 + 2 MAP jokers (the major routes) + 1 extra card
88 x 63
MINT condition
Original box.